CIRCUMSTANCES OF LOSSColonel Goettge served as the division intelligence officer (D-2) of the 1st Marine Division on Guadalcanal. On the night of 12 August 1942, he led a patrol to investigate reports of a Japanese contingent near Point Cruz that wished to surrender.

The patrol landed in the wrong place, and as Goettge led them into the jungle, he was shot by a member of the 11th CU Security Force. His men confirmed Goettge’s death before retreating to a defensive position on the beach. Over the next several hours, the patrol was cut to pieces; only three men survived the ordeal.

Although the remains of the Goettge Patrol were located in subsequent weeks, they were not recovered during the campaign. Goettge himself was reported as missing in action, and declared dead as of 14 August 1943.